30" increment time control in the top six sections→ No more clock smashing scrambles at the end of the game.

Score-based prizes→ See the advantages below

Additional prizes for clear 1st place with 4.5 or shared with lower sore, added to your score prize→ More prize money

Minimum 2100 rating to play in the Championship section→ Less mismatch games.

Sets, boards and clocks provided for everyone→ Just show up.

Free Sunday morning Continental breakfast→ Relax, have some coffee and a danish before you start your game.

Texting or email of pairings to your cell phone available (see Dec. 2011 Chess Life) → No rush at the pairing chart before the round

Free Day guest parking→ Don't worry about where you have to park your car.

$99 room rate→ Relax and stay at the tournament hotel. $5 EF discount if staying at hotel. Reserve a room

Shorter time controls in lower sections→ Less waiting around between rounds.

Prizes

This tournament will pay prizes based solely on your final score. All the prizes are guaranteed. If the total pay out in the Open section is less than $1500, extra money will be added to the pay out of the top score group to bring the total to $1500.

Advantages over place-based scoring

Less Waiting

Your score determines your prize. Once you finish your last game, you can receive a check.

Less Uncertainty

Your prize does not get lowered if others tie with you. For example, if there are two 5-0 players, both receive the full amount for 5-0.

Less short draws

The total payout is always higher when games are decisive.

Score

Section

5

4.5

4

3.5

3.0

If no 5-0,
sole 1st @ 4.5 or,
shared at lower

Championship

(FIDE rated, minimum rating 2100)

$1600

$900

$500

$200

$50

+$300

Under 2300

(FIDE rated, minimum rating 1900)

$1500

$700

$350

$150

$50

+$250

Under 2100

(FIDE rated, minimum rating 1700)

$1500

$700

$350

$150

$40

+$200

Under 1900

$1200

$650

$325

$125

+$150

Under 1700

$1200

$600

$300

$100

+$100

Under 1500

$1000

$500

$250

$100

+$100

Under 1250

$500

$250

$125

$50

+$50

Under 1000

$250

$125

$50

$20

Trophies to top 10, top U800

Unrated may not win over $100 in U1000, $200 U1250, $400 U1500. Balance goes to player(s) with same score or is divided among players in next lower score group. No adult unrateds allowed in U1000.

Entrance Fees

Early (online or mail by 7/3) $109
Regular (online or mail by 7/17) $114
Late (online by 7/19) $119
At-the-door (cash or credit card) $130. We'll be using Square to process credit cards. We'll also be trying our Square's Card Case app. If you have a Android or an iOS phone install and setup the Card Case app and at-the-door registration will be a breeze.

Special Entrance Fees

Under 1250 section: all entrance fees $40 less. Under 1000 section: all entrance fees $60 less. Free early entrance to GMs. $50 will be subtracted from any prizes. $45 discount EF for IMs. $20 will be subtracted from any prizes.

Mailed registrations should include name, section, schedule(2-day or 3-day). The chief TD for the tournament will be Mike Regan. If you have any questions about the tournament email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Byes

Half point byes: all must commit before rd 3

Reentries: available in U1900 and below, $80 except U1000 and U1250 $40. You can reenter any schedule taking 1/2 point byes for unplayed games. If you reenter with a single 1/2 point bye, the cost is $70/$35. If you reenter with two 1/2 point byes, the cost is $60/$30.

Parking Information

Do not bring electronic devices (cell phones and smart watches) into the playing venue (playing room, halls outside playing room, smoking area, bathrooms, etc) according to FIDE rule 11.3. Players are subject to scanning to test for possession of cell phones. We plan to monitor using both thermal and magnetic scanners. Traffic in various areas will also be video monitored.

Possession of a device that is turned on or makes a noise

Forfeit of the game

Possession of a device that is turned off

1st Violation 30 minute time penalty limited to no more than 1/2 the remaining time on the clock for the current time control.

2nd Violation Forfeit of game

Rule Variations

In sections that the organizer provides clocks, if both players are not present at the start of the round, the tournament director will start white's clock.

Clocks that halt on end are preferred in all sections with increment time controls.

Any player forfeiting a round must pay a $50 fine before being allowed to play in a future tournament organized by MCA or Baltimore Chess.

Players with byes who are eligible to play in a lower section that also has a bye player may get paired in the lower section as a house player. They will still have the bye for standings in their original section. The game in the lower section does count for standings and must be played.

All players with a provisional rating will have 100 points added to the rating for section eligibility purposes. See this report on chesstd.com for an explanation.

No show forfeit time for all sections is one hour or the first time control whichever is shorter.

At this point in time, the electronic score keeping device, ChessNoteR, cannot be used at this tournament.